Resource Library

Measures of Affordability: A HUD Working Paper on 2006-2010 CHAS Data

Following the release of the 2006-2010 CHAS data (see Memo, 5/17), HUD published a working paper on May 22, to discuss how the CHAS data can contribute to the overall analysis of housing affordability to lower income households.

CHAS combines data from the American Community Survey with HUD’s adjusted median family incomes (HAMFI) to create estimates of households that would qualify for HUD assistance. The data also include household characteristics such as race and ethnicity, age, family size, and disability status, as well as housing unit characteristics like number of bedrooms and rental costs. HAMFIs are computed at the county, county equivalent, and Fair Market Rent (FMR) area level, so state and local governments can use these data to develop their housing strategies and write a Consolidated Plan.

Beyond methodology and guidance, this working paper also presents select CHAS data on housing affordability. Consistent with other analyses, in 2006-2010 there were 16.56 million very low income renter households (with incomes equal to or less than 50% HAMFI) and 41.8 million housing units that are renter-occupied or vacant. Of these 41.8 million units, less than four in ten (38%) are affordable to very low income households and eight in ten are affordable to low income households (with incomes equal to or less than 80% HAMFI). These figures drop even further when looking at affordable and available units, with only 23% of the rental stock affordable and available to very low income households and 57% affordable and available to low income households.